Personal, not digital…innovation matchmaking is about people, not just apps, algorithms or data matches

This thought piece is the follow up to Picking the right Innovation Races that looked at Horizon Scanning and the growing list of digital platforms that are becoming popular and capable to assist when developing your innovation challenges.
The focus switches back to the people side of the innovation matchmaking equation and takes a look into community of players that think whilst technology is powerful it’s the personal relationships and an acute understanding of organisations needs that enable the best matchmaking.

There are now thousands of dating apps. There are apps that match people by music taste, so that you can kick things off by discussing shared passions and mocking each other’s guilty pleasures. There are apps that reduce the cringe factor by allowing friends to find people for you – you remain oblivious until the date is in the offing. There are apps that encourage

These terms and conditions apply to the service we, The Future Shaping Media Company Ltd, run. By using our service, you agree to these terms. Our services may change fast, and therefore this agreement is subject to change. The most recent agreement applies at all times.

Service

The Future Shapers gives you digital access to innovation thought pieces, essays and research. You can pick and choose to read separate thought pieces. You can browse, search, and share thought pieces. Detailed information on our service can be found here (and the information found there is part of these terms and conditions). Part of our service is free, (those thought pieces that contributors don’t wish to charge for) but for many of our thought pieces our contributors believe the insight is valuable enough to charge a small single article fee. We reserve the right to delete media, and users cannot derive any rights from us doing so. We can terminate your membership if you breach this agreement or the laws it applies to.

Registration

You can use our service by signing up here providing your name and email address. Your membership is personal and requires a username and password. You’re not allowed to have more than one account. Please use your personal information appropriately, and never share it with third parties. If you think someone is violating your privacy, please let us know at membership@thefutureshapers.com.

Unsubscribing

You can cancel and cash out your subscription to The Future Shapers at any time. Please send an email to membership@thefutureshapers.com, and we’ll terminate your subscription. Any funds on your balance will be refunded in full.The refund credit, will be the credit that remains, as we’re obligated to pay any used credit to the contributors.

Payment

When you register we create you an online wallet for your funds. You can refill your credit by a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 100 by making a payment to The Future Shapers. Our payment service provider, Stripe, will process your payment. Unlike a subscription you can use your credit to read thought pieces as fast or as slow as you like.Credit will only be refunded if and when you want to leave. When we refund your credit, it will only be the credit that remains, as we’re obligated to pay any used credit to the contributors.

Restrictions

We don’t like rules either, but hey, we have to have some! So, in using our service, you agree not to engage in any of these naughty activities:

Restrictions

In using our service, you agree to engage in the following activities:

Not to interfer with the proper functioning of any part of The Future Shapers service, including, but not limited to, page content, availability or accessibility, or submitting a virus, overloading, “flooding,” “spamming,” “mail bombing,” or “crashing” the service;

Not to scanning or testing the security and/or configuration of the service or trying to or breaching security or authentication measures; and

Not to using the service for any purpose that is unlawful, or prohibited by this agreement, or which infringes on our rights or the rights of others.

Privacy

We will handle your personal information strictly confidentially. For more information, please read our privacy statement. If you still have questions, contact us by sending an email to contact@thefutureshapers.com.

Liability

You are using our services at your own risk. We are not responsible for any damage you may suffer as a result of using our service.

Intellectual Property

The contents of our service are protected by intellectual property rights and is the exclusive property of The Future Shaping Media Company or is being used with the proper permission(s) and licenses, such as those with our expert contributor community that digitally publish on The Future Shapers. You are not allowed to publish, multiply, or in any other way exploit parts of our service. Our service is meant for personal and non-commercial use in your own reading environment only.

Third Party Content

The Future Shapers provides our fantastic contributors to digitally publish their content through our service, you agree that The Future Shapers is not responsible or liable for the content, functions, accuracy, legality, appropriateness or any other aspect of those third party contributors and content. You also agree that The Future Shapers is not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or in reliance on any content, goods, information, or services available on or through any such third party contributors and content.

Indemnification

You are responsible for all of your activity in connection with the service. So you’ll defend, indemnify, and hold harmless The Future Shapers, its affiliates and each of its employees, directors, and representatives from all liabilities, claims, and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees) that arise from your (1) use or misuse of the service; or (2) violation of this agreement. This indemnity obligation also applies to claims by you or by third parties (e.g. contributors) regarding libel, slander, false accusations, and other related matters. In no event will The Future Shaper’s liability exceed the amounts paid by you to us.

Governing Law

This agreement is governed by English law. You agree to the personal jurisdiction of England. Any disputes will be submitted to the competent court in England, and you waive any affirmative defences to the contrary.

Complaints and Disputes

If you have a complaint, do let us know. We’re here for you. Please send whatever issue you might have to contact@thefutureshapers.com and we’ll respond asap.